Justicans Super Eurobeat 211 Review
Hotblade - Legendary Heart
Plastic felt a bit unconventional towards to stanard eurobeat style, but for those disspointed, SCP jumps Hotblade into there familer territory for a song that in no way has dissapointed. Fast Synths and speed, very powerful lyrics drive the song in the way SCP know best. It may seem alot like Fastway with a differant singer, but there is no bad in that, its still extremely addictive and the power of the Vocal do drive the song as much Fastway can do. Being so familer, its a shame the last point is lost for not being as differant as the usual formula but this song will be playing the heads of many eurobeat fan.
9/10
Dejo & Bon - Wheelpower & Go!
If you read it, yes, its 11. Practically the only song in the whole SEB series that delivers everything in droves. The energy made in this song is fantastic and they dont even need the guitar solo's to to make this song legendery. I have no idea why they put that much guitar in there but it far surpasses pretty much all eurobeat guitars present and is the one reason why it gets an 11, because it blows all others out of the water. In contrast, the guitar sounds alot like the ones in Aerodynamic by Daft Punk, a bit of Nostalgia and a bit of a steal aswell, oops. Anyway, this song is the perfect song to sum up everything about racing cars and Initial D, Perfect Vocals, Perfect Synth, Perfect Composition and Perfect Guitars, even if they are a little repetitive.
11/10
Vicky Vale - Sunday Morning
The thing about the newest SEB volumes is that you get to listen to the newest songs in full extended version, many times, but not here, a revival back from 2009, good thing it was from a non-stop. Sunday Morning, was a classic tune then and a classic tune now, is very upbeat and yet its still sounds refreashing, even if it is a little dated. Clara's vocals are top-notch, as usual, and are very heart-felt, as usual. The extended really brings out the good composition, even if some of the sounds are a little dated, both for 2009 and before. Very solid tune and its one of the most repeated songs on this album, even when other songs are far better.
8/10
Francis Cooper - Cherry Lips
Whilst I loved the previous Francis Cooper track to bits, its slow paced very centralised theme put off alot of people. Now, this tune is alot more commerial yet has a very distict style. It seem Italo very much but has been done in a very distict way to give it its own fresh style. Whilst is may lose points because of this, its still very enjoyable and the addition of several guitars make it sound hard hitting. The fact of its distorted feeling or its disassociated instruments, gives the song some sort of uncompletness which makes it feel a little lacking. The vocals are good but its seems too patchy to give it an excellent score.
8+/10
Jay Lehr - Fallin' In Love Again
Listening to the massively awesome SCP eurobeat version on download, I was afraid they had picked the wrong version and the solid, sure-fire version was left out. I wasent dissapointed thankfully, the Fashion version being in a differant style was done as magnificently as the eurobeat version, alot of effort where put into these two versions seperatly and it shows. A very heart-felt song is perfect for Valentine's day, Jay's vocal's go very well, even if they sound modified to no end. The care into this song produced an exellent score, it may sound dated, but it go's very well with the SEB feeling. Another hit for Jay Lehr.
9/10
Dave Rodgers - The House Of Fire
Where as the previous Sun Fire tracks don't have the A Beat C style of production known with Dave, this song brings it all the way back. Even its all the way back to 1995 and before, Dave's Eurock is distinctive and this shows how far his distictivness can make an even better tune. The synth hook is very edgy and speedy, not incluing the extra ambience of the guitars, which, as usual, are top quality. Dave may of topped the majority of his Eurock tracks with this as it is massively addictive, retains some creative and edgy moments and defines Dave being on top form now that he has started up with Sun Fire.
9+/10
Lilly - I Believe In Miracle
Im not going to do it, not going to put two 11 in one album, it would be just too insane. The Magic of Sunshine was a hit to many, it was a shining beacon straight from the 80's and the age of SAW and I would though it would never been beaten. Now, just in 6 months, its been beaten by this, but Why? Main reason is that this song has been put together, peice by piece, in perfect transition and compsure. Its progressive, starts off with beat, then a very direct and distict bass, then a harmonious melody then a very dark, haunting, beutiful synth. Its perfect before even adding the vocals. The Vocals suit the song very well and the composure goes perfectly with the already crafted music, all the way up to the bridge suits the dark atmosphere produced by the synth then kicks in with a happy chorus, then kicks into back to the synth. Yes they did do this with the magic of sunshine, but I believe in Miracle bring soo much emotion with the prodominant instruments, vocals and conposure.
10/10
Speedogang - Jailhouse Rock
Okay a cover from Saifam, the thing they do best and have alot of experience doing it. Ive listened to enough Speed and Power albums to hear a whole showcase of there work and Jailhouse Rock should fit it. Its fits good, its a very good mix, though the song itself is very distinguished, its not that tricky to emulate it to euro form. That shows also, Saifam add the usual fare of speedy instruments and add a bit of flare, but the song isnt that much more enjoyable. There are one of two up parts, but the rest seems a little usual and there seems to be a complete lack of innovation.
5/10
Destinee - Make Me Wonder
They always come up, those songs when you first hear you really like anything about the song, but this song grows, it grows really fast and is now one of the most played on the album. Make me wonder is alot differant to Destinee first track, which was directly a slow eurodisco track, to a vibrant, happy tune. The more listens, the more solid it becomes, after all, getting into the song brings you to the best part. That being Destinee's singing, shes marvelous, no dulled out parts, no struggling, no low points, her singing is fully uplifting. So whats so bad about the song, well its not all that innovative and, like previous dima, like to pick out peices of other songs and intergrate them into his tunes, its apparant here but make the song sound more cheesy which deducts from its integrity. Overall though a very plesent song thatvery solid and uplifting.
8/10
David Dima - Don't Wanna Be A Survivor
It seems you cannot have a SEB album these days without a David Dima songs, and who is blaming, since Tsundare night, he has hardly done a song wrong. When it comes to his latest tune, it seem we have heard it already, but Dima, as he like to do, makes all his tracks a good tad differant so he keeps his style yet things seem new, even if you know they really arnt. Anyway, Survivor takes the formula very well to heart and Dima's ingenious gives the song a varied melody and lyrics to give it its own place in the Dima Museam, they are quite addictive, the song is 100% solid and I doubt anyone will say no if its been put on.
8+/10
Sarah - Aloha-oe Until We Meet Again
Hello again saifam, what do you have there? another cover? alright lets here it. Again the fare with Jailhouse rock is there, a cover done the Saifam way and released so that the album can have some well-known diversity. Im thinking though, why this song? Has it got anything to do with Hawaiian Rollercoaster ride? Was it just picked out of the Saifam Covers hat? Well its a female sung one, so its the opposite of Jailhouse rock and its alot more mellow, perhaps that just the reason why. Anyway, its a pleasent song that is good to listen to once in a while, but it may just forgotten altogether as there are plenty of other decent covers that give energy not present here.
4+/10
Garcon - Gogo The Night
So, I gather Hi-NRG are going to get ALL there alias's into the new Italo sound. GoGo the Night captures the italo sound to perfection but also give it own Hi-NRG twist which is usually the thing that gets peeps to go "turn it off, turn it off!". That said, Garcons lyrics go really well with the dark nightclub theme going on, all dark and mysterious, its one song where the vocal talent really shines. The twist though, its very apparant and direct, but it gives it the shock that is sometime presrent in certain brash italo productions, because of this, I give it full marks, for presenting itself in a very direct manner, being dark, harsh and bold.
9+/10
Futura - Lonely
Oh, its Futura, lemme get the numbers 1 to 5 out, doubt ill go further then that. Oh wait, is she actually TRYING? Yes, Futura has actually made a song that suits her vocal's, I can finally throw those low numbers away. The song, fully listen though, make me wonder, why hasent this "Queen of Eurobeat" done anything like this up to now? Like I mensioned, Futura's vocals go extremely well with the style of song and the style of song is something quite missing in the realm of SEB. Proper Aishu, reminds of some J=Pop songs and even songs from childrens CD's, pokemon comes to mind. For that it gets extra marks for an actually decent attempt to make Furuta fit into SEB, but deduct the last marks because some parts of the sound sound tampered to increase effect but instead make it sound ugly.
9/10
Ken Laszlo feat. Domino - Let's Get It Done Tonight
Do my eyes decieve me? Is that Ken Laszlo written there or are they having a joke? No joke, it truely is the man who created all those italo disco hits back in the 80's to help create Eurobeat what it is today, but...isnt this Eurodisco? Im a bit confused but if Laszlo is doing lyrics and GGM can make a good disco track, im all for it, but I never gathered it would be THIS good. Another perfect score for a perfect song, a song that captures Disco to the D, and add's soo much from the influences and styling of Super Eurobeat. Domino is a good backing vocalist, she did well in back to 80's and her delightful voice makes wonders here too. However at the end of the day, Laszo is in top form, the music has been ingeniously put together and the feeling and influence of 70's disco and 80's euro make a tune so perfectly solid, it puts GGM back on top form.
10+/10
15. Jager - I Won't Fall Apart (Rock Power Version)
Hearing the "aucoustic" versions of songs on the last 10 albums, Avex's new approach see's songs professionally done in another music genre. Its glad to see they started off straight with Rock and get the rulebook on how to create a most awesome rock tune and followed it marvelously. Well, if an extremely seasoned rock professional is behind the production, nothing can go wrong, and indeed, there is nothing wrong, the song is an awesome tranistion from a Europop song into a headbanging rock cover.
9+/10
Top 3:
Dejo & Bon - Wheelpower & Go!
Lilly - I Believe In Miracle
Ken Laszlo feat. Domino - Let's Get It Done Tonight
Bottom 3:
Sarah - Aloha-oe Until We Meet Again
Speedogang - Jailhouse Rock
Vicky Vale - Sunday Morning (Just because it was Best of SEB 2009)
Overall Scoree: 9/10
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Justican's Super Eurobeat 212 Review
Justican's Super Eurobeat 212 Review
1. YO SHINE / I DREAM OF YOU (04:27) [SCP]
Im glad Yo Shine is back after there Phenominal song Power of my Love in SEB 201, but what we have is something very differant. The song is a bit more downpaced and more trancy, with the vocals doing more of the work. Unforunatly, the sloppy way the vocals have been put together, a rudimentry synth line and a rather typical composition, the song isnt anything special and anything that could be special, isnt present. Worse fact it just copied things from Power of my love and just put a differant styling over it make it sound old already and without the edgy crative bassline of "Power of my Love", the song just seemed like a watered down Eurotrance song.
6/10
2. ACE / SET ME FREE (03:39) [SCP]
Its rare to see Ace perform this type of tune without Fastway but we know from previous solo songs from both artists, they can pull off the fast and furious sound on there own as they do together. What "Set me Free" provides is something a bit more unique with a dark synth and a whole range of vocals that makes it viable as a song that can stand on its own legs without the need being Eurobeat. I say that because, after listening to the mainstreet Version, this song can adapt very well as, not just a good song, one that is very catchy and memorial. When Ace released his version of "Wait for you", it shown how he could take an exsisting song and put the Eurobeat style to it to make a perfect song. Here Ace has made an awesome song straight up and it add's to his collection of excellent songs, making him still one of the best Eurobeat
Vocalist to be heard on SEB.
9/10
3. ANNALISE / LOVE TOY (04:46) [A-Beat C]
Vaults you say? We are always suprised to hear song way back then which sound like....way back then.
Love Toy is a very traiditional Annalise song and, like, Dave' The Race of the Game, if it was released by then, it would of been ignore because of saturation. Anyway, this is typical Annalise fare, but its not as forgettable as the rest. It'd got some bits and bobs that makes it that little bit more special and varied in order to keep the song from sound "just like her older ones". Aishu Eurobeat is hard to innovate and Love toy ticks all the right boxe's for Aishu, but there is very little innocation to make it special. Well at least its a good song to listen to once in a while, but cannot see it being in anyone fantastic piles.
7/10
4. MR. MOOG / BANG BANG COWBOY (04:42) [Dima Music]
Mr. Moog's two previous tunes where fantastic, they both where definaitive as tunes that shaped the last SEB decade. Now, Dima has shaped Mr.Moog's new tune after his original works in Europanic and sounds quite similar to songs he produced for that series. Themed songs that had familer sampled to the theme suggested but had flowing but ordinary synths. This is definatly the same vein, unfortunatly, not much from europanic made an impressionan and this dosent do that either. Its a funky songs with some great parts, especially the Saloon part, but its just using a tired old formula which dosent make the song stand out. Mr Moog should try and come up with better material that dosent need to refer back to the ordinary age of Eurobeat and perhaps we can have another one of his classics.
6/10
5. VIRGINELLE / BABY COME BACK (05:1 [Go-Go's Music]
So I jumped on the Virginelle Train once again and found the creativly sweet vocals, the firm, flowing and wonderful synths along with the ingenious creativity known by GGM. Though this is just another similar trip on the Virginelle Train, at the end of the day, they havent really changed anything so you dont really need to ride it again. The vocals are as strong as Elena confidence, but there are many examples already abord the train, this song blends into them like a charm but there are places where lyrical ingenious overtakes Baby come Back. If you want a solid song, Baby come back dosent dissapoint, but if GGM can make songs like The Power of Love, with everything you would expect from GGM then more, this song just sits in the back and shows up when you have exhausted the many great tunes Virginelle has to offer.
7+/10
6. DJ SPACE C / DANGER ZONE (04:39) [Saifam/Asia]
I personally like Saifam Covers, there cheeky, lots of energy and come with all sorts of twists. However, I dont really think they fit in too well in the SEB series as covers are great in Non-stop format, not so much extended. Anyway, regarding the song, it does give the speedy sensation the original pulled off so well and added the saifam fashion to the mix very well, which makes it the best Saifam cover with the exception of Thriller. It reminds me alot of Dave's version of Smoke on the Water, a song perfectly suited for Initial D, but I would rather prefer an original addictive tune from Saifam once again.
7/10
7. DAVID & TOY / YOU & I (04:50) [Dima Music]
Dima is going to take on the Euroballad, an attempt on Dave and many of his Music Partners who have stolen the throne so many timesbefore, but Dima's first attempt is doing a very good job of stopping that. Its very simple and traditional, but with the adorable lyrics, solid instruments and put together gorgously, its a very listenable tune which sounds quite timeless. It hard to find a Mellow Dima track, that isnt Dream Fighters, that isnt bad and I believe he has used the experiance in those song's to come up with this. I hope David Rodgers can one day pick up the pack and make a song like this, "Just another day with you" wasent all that simple and was trying too hard to go straight for the heart strings, where as You and I, they sing and the vocals naturally sound blissful.
9+/10
8. JOE D. TOASTER / CRAZY DIAMOND (05:06) [Hi-NRG Attack]
Perhaps Hi-NRG have done better song recently, but the 10 on this is fully justified for the fact that it sticks so solidly to its Italo-roots, its the most believeable Italo sound to be 100% diamond. A fantastic bass, just like I believe in miracle, simple, 100% effective synth and perfectly adjusted vocals that sound perfect. I congratulate Hi-NRG to fully emulating the Italo sound and it sounds just soo right, even if its not the most catchy of the recent Hi-NRG tunes.
10/10
9. MELISSA WHITE / MOVIN' & LOVIN' (05:00 ) [SCP]
Sounds pretty standard fare when it comes to the vocals, sounds like it was made in very much the same vein as a Momo song but the Synths and composition are alot more upbeat. Im suprised there isnt many calm upbeat songs on SEB anymore, it used to be full of them, so Movin and Lovin is good to see them return. There really isnt a place in this song that fails, it ticks all the "decent eurobeat" essentials yet the synth itself is cheeky, happy and inituive enough to make an impact. Due to this fact alone, the song is higher then average, although it wont break any factastic barrier, it dosent need to as these songs are generally very nice to listen too.
7+/10
10. MEGAN / TIME TO SAY BYE BYE (05:13) [SinclaireStyle]
You wanted speed, this has it, even if it sounds a bit excessive. Anyway, Megan hasent had much exposure but all of ther tunes have been good and show up to be quite a suprise. tThis song is no exception, like 1234 Live on the Dancefloor, this is a real happy party tune and instead of having a funky composition, it goes for a fast paced, highly intensive voal and synth shock. It works out factastically, the song is very catchy, upbeat and lives to the fast paces euro lifestyle. The song maybe a bit too excessive for some or just downright weirded out by Megan's style of vocal's but it is in no doubt this is a definate eurobeat tune.
10/10
11. CY-RO / JUMP ON THE SOUND (05:01) [Hi-NRG Attack]
What that synth I hear....sounds very familier.......This song has the definate Eurobeat Flash vibe to it, yes, the very first Hi-Nrg tunes are strongly influenced here. However it seems to be only present in half of the song, its perculier, but it seems the old and the new are conbined here, with some solid tune on the first half, an experimental vocal trip on the second. this song is quite hard to rate, I would no doubt give it a 10 if it was an Ironclad successor to Eurobeat Flash but its a bit off and, although the new vocal style isnt bad, gives the song this bizarre vibe. In any case, it a vibrant unqiue tune which indicates Hi-NRG are testing out new waters once again, hopefully, never time, they will pull off another classic.
7/10
12. GO GO GIRLS / SEX KILLER (05:03) [Go-Go's Music]
Im surpised no one has mensioned this song being "Hot Vampire" Number 2, but unlike suffering with the been there, done that formula found present in Bady come back, Sex killer fulfills expectations by providing, not only another solid tune for the Go Go Girls, but an improvement over such classics like Hot Vampire. However, its a bit late to just erase Hot Vampire, its still a great song that deservesits play time and has alot of uniqueness to it, but Sex Killer has a more triumphant Synth, vocal and lyrical impact and prominant definition to it.
10+/10
13. CLAIRE M. / MUSIC (05:03) [Dima Music]
Dima has made some definatly good music that last few years, mainly due to the fact is that they keep things new but retain the old music styles and brings them back with a really big punch. MUSIC definatly has this punch, the synth is is high and angelic, the vocals harmonious and mellow and the composition is solid yet extremely bold. Though, when it comes to the main chorus, Claire is sounding she is having a hard time keeping the pace, but Im sure this bring alot more emotion into the song which pulls the song into the same vein as great songs as "I belong to you" by Stephy.
10/10
14. DIGITAL PLANET / A NEW DAY (04:50) [A-Beat C]
When it comes to Digital Planet, I usually dont even bother and just skip the tune as after the few of there tunes I heard from 160+ just sounded whiny and too melodramatic for my tastes. Though "A New Day" has parts like this, as in the Chorus, it is listenable. Though that is the part im less interested in, the rest of the song is pretty good. Like what Dima and Hi-NRG have done, trying to ressurect and old style formula for the new generation, this songs pulls off a familier tune. Its well made, synth soundslike a delight and the style if very promising, if it was done by another vocalist, I would enjoy it more, but that is just me.
7/10
15. KING & QUEEN / YA YA YA (Slow Mix) (02:36) [A-Beat C]
Well its a bit of a change of pace from a Fully Fledged Rock remix of Jager to a slow mix of traditional King and Queen track. It hold up though, very mellow yet funky enough to swing too, it brings something that we dont get to hear much of, and it gets points for just giving us a differant pace over the opther tracks on SEB. I listen to quite a bit of J-pop and it seems to be catering quite well to that audience, as I enjoyed it, maybe not as much as the last ablums track, maybe thats because I listen to alot of Rock aswell.
7/10
Best 3
JOE D. TOASTER / CRAZY DIAMOND
MEGAN / TIME TO SAY BYE BYE
GO GO GIRLS / SEX KILLER
Worst 3:
DJ SPACE C / DANGER ZONE
YO SHINE / I DREAM OF YOU
MR. MOOG / BANG BANG COWBOY
Overall Score: 8/10
1. YO SHINE / I DREAM OF YOU (04:27) [SCP]
Im glad Yo Shine is back after there Phenominal song Power of my Love in SEB 201, but what we have is something very differant. The song is a bit more downpaced and more trancy, with the vocals doing more of the work. Unforunatly, the sloppy way the vocals have been put together, a rudimentry synth line and a rather typical composition, the song isnt anything special and anything that could be special, isnt present. Worse fact it just copied things from Power of my love and just put a differant styling over it make it sound old already and without the edgy crative bassline of "Power of my Love", the song just seemed like a watered down Eurotrance song.
6/10
2. ACE / SET ME FREE (03:39) [SCP]
Its rare to see Ace perform this type of tune without Fastway but we know from previous solo songs from both artists, they can pull off the fast and furious sound on there own as they do together. What "Set me Free" provides is something a bit more unique with a dark synth and a whole range of vocals that makes it viable as a song that can stand on its own legs without the need being Eurobeat. I say that because, after listening to the mainstreet Version, this song can adapt very well as, not just a good song, one that is very catchy and memorial. When Ace released his version of "Wait for you", it shown how he could take an exsisting song and put the Eurobeat style to it to make a perfect song. Here Ace has made an awesome song straight up and it add's to his collection of excellent songs, making him still one of the best Eurobeat
Vocalist to be heard on SEB.
9/10
3. ANNALISE / LOVE TOY (04:46) [A-Beat C]
Vaults you say? We are always suprised to hear song way back then which sound like....way back then.
Love Toy is a very traiditional Annalise song and, like, Dave' The Race of the Game, if it was released by then, it would of been ignore because of saturation. Anyway, this is typical Annalise fare, but its not as forgettable as the rest. It'd got some bits and bobs that makes it that little bit more special and varied in order to keep the song from sound "just like her older ones". Aishu Eurobeat is hard to innovate and Love toy ticks all the right boxe's for Aishu, but there is very little innocation to make it special. Well at least its a good song to listen to once in a while, but cannot see it being in anyone fantastic piles.
7/10
4. MR. MOOG / BANG BANG COWBOY (04:42) [Dima Music]
Mr. Moog's two previous tunes where fantastic, they both where definaitive as tunes that shaped the last SEB decade. Now, Dima has shaped Mr.Moog's new tune after his original works in Europanic and sounds quite similar to songs he produced for that series. Themed songs that had familer sampled to the theme suggested but had flowing but ordinary synths. This is definatly the same vein, unfortunatly, not much from europanic made an impressionan and this dosent do that either. Its a funky songs with some great parts, especially the Saloon part, but its just using a tired old formula which dosent make the song stand out. Mr Moog should try and come up with better material that dosent need to refer back to the ordinary age of Eurobeat and perhaps we can have another one of his classics.
6/10
5. VIRGINELLE / BABY COME BACK (05:1 [Go-Go's Music]
So I jumped on the Virginelle Train once again and found the creativly sweet vocals, the firm, flowing and wonderful synths along with the ingenious creativity known by GGM. Though this is just another similar trip on the Virginelle Train, at the end of the day, they havent really changed anything so you dont really need to ride it again. The vocals are as strong as Elena confidence, but there are many examples already abord the train, this song blends into them like a charm but there are places where lyrical ingenious overtakes Baby come Back. If you want a solid song, Baby come back dosent dissapoint, but if GGM can make songs like The Power of Love, with everything you would expect from GGM then more, this song just sits in the back and shows up when you have exhausted the many great tunes Virginelle has to offer.
7+/10
6. DJ SPACE C / DANGER ZONE (04:39) [Saifam/Asia]
I personally like Saifam Covers, there cheeky, lots of energy and come with all sorts of twists. However, I dont really think they fit in too well in the SEB series as covers are great in Non-stop format, not so much extended. Anyway, regarding the song, it does give the speedy sensation the original pulled off so well and added the saifam fashion to the mix very well, which makes it the best Saifam cover with the exception of Thriller. It reminds me alot of Dave's version of Smoke on the Water, a song perfectly suited for Initial D, but I would rather prefer an original addictive tune from Saifam once again.
7/10
7. DAVID & TOY / YOU & I (04:50) [Dima Music]
Dima is going to take on the Euroballad, an attempt on Dave and many of his Music Partners who have stolen the throne so many timesbefore, but Dima's first attempt is doing a very good job of stopping that. Its very simple and traditional, but with the adorable lyrics, solid instruments and put together gorgously, its a very listenable tune which sounds quite timeless. It hard to find a Mellow Dima track, that isnt Dream Fighters, that isnt bad and I believe he has used the experiance in those song's to come up with this. I hope David Rodgers can one day pick up the pack and make a song like this, "Just another day with you" wasent all that simple and was trying too hard to go straight for the heart strings, where as You and I, they sing and the vocals naturally sound blissful.
9+/10
8. JOE D. TOASTER / CRAZY DIAMOND (05:06) [Hi-NRG Attack]
Perhaps Hi-NRG have done better song recently, but the 10 on this is fully justified for the fact that it sticks so solidly to its Italo-roots, its the most believeable Italo sound to be 100% diamond. A fantastic bass, just like I believe in miracle, simple, 100% effective synth and perfectly adjusted vocals that sound perfect. I congratulate Hi-NRG to fully emulating the Italo sound and it sounds just soo right, even if its not the most catchy of the recent Hi-NRG tunes.
10/10
9. MELISSA WHITE / MOVIN' & LOVIN' (05:00 ) [SCP]
Sounds pretty standard fare when it comes to the vocals, sounds like it was made in very much the same vein as a Momo song but the Synths and composition are alot more upbeat. Im suprised there isnt many calm upbeat songs on SEB anymore, it used to be full of them, so Movin and Lovin is good to see them return. There really isnt a place in this song that fails, it ticks all the "decent eurobeat" essentials yet the synth itself is cheeky, happy and inituive enough to make an impact. Due to this fact alone, the song is higher then average, although it wont break any factastic barrier, it dosent need to as these songs are generally very nice to listen too.
7+/10
10. MEGAN / TIME TO SAY BYE BYE (05:13) [SinclaireStyle]
You wanted speed, this has it, even if it sounds a bit excessive. Anyway, Megan hasent had much exposure but all of ther tunes have been good and show up to be quite a suprise. tThis song is no exception, like 1234 Live on the Dancefloor, this is a real happy party tune and instead of having a funky composition, it goes for a fast paced, highly intensive voal and synth shock. It works out factastically, the song is very catchy, upbeat and lives to the fast paces euro lifestyle. The song maybe a bit too excessive for some or just downright weirded out by Megan's style of vocal's but it is in no doubt this is a definate eurobeat tune.
10/10
11. CY-RO / JUMP ON THE SOUND (05:01) [Hi-NRG Attack]
What that synth I hear....sounds very familier.......This song has the definate Eurobeat Flash vibe to it, yes, the very first Hi-Nrg tunes are strongly influenced here. However it seems to be only present in half of the song, its perculier, but it seems the old and the new are conbined here, with some solid tune on the first half, an experimental vocal trip on the second. this song is quite hard to rate, I would no doubt give it a 10 if it was an Ironclad successor to Eurobeat Flash but its a bit off and, although the new vocal style isnt bad, gives the song this bizarre vibe. In any case, it a vibrant unqiue tune which indicates Hi-NRG are testing out new waters once again, hopefully, never time, they will pull off another classic.
7/10
12. GO GO GIRLS / SEX KILLER (05:03) [Go-Go's Music]
Im surpised no one has mensioned this song being "Hot Vampire" Number 2, but unlike suffering with the been there, done that formula found present in Bady come back, Sex killer fulfills expectations by providing, not only another solid tune for the Go Go Girls, but an improvement over such classics like Hot Vampire. However, its a bit late to just erase Hot Vampire, its still a great song that deservesits play time and has alot of uniqueness to it, but Sex Killer has a more triumphant Synth, vocal and lyrical impact and prominant definition to it.
10+/10
13. CLAIRE M. / MUSIC (05:03) [Dima Music]
Dima has made some definatly good music that last few years, mainly due to the fact is that they keep things new but retain the old music styles and brings them back with a really big punch. MUSIC definatly has this punch, the synth is is high and angelic, the vocals harmonious and mellow and the composition is solid yet extremely bold. Though, when it comes to the main chorus, Claire is sounding she is having a hard time keeping the pace, but Im sure this bring alot more emotion into the song which pulls the song into the same vein as great songs as "I belong to you" by Stephy.
10/10
14. DIGITAL PLANET / A NEW DAY (04:50) [A-Beat C]
When it comes to Digital Planet, I usually dont even bother and just skip the tune as after the few of there tunes I heard from 160+ just sounded whiny and too melodramatic for my tastes. Though "A New Day" has parts like this, as in the Chorus, it is listenable. Though that is the part im less interested in, the rest of the song is pretty good. Like what Dima and Hi-NRG have done, trying to ressurect and old style formula for the new generation, this songs pulls off a familier tune. Its well made, synth soundslike a delight and the style if very promising, if it was done by another vocalist, I would enjoy it more, but that is just me.
7/10
15. KING & QUEEN / YA YA YA (Slow Mix) (02:36) [A-Beat C]
Well its a bit of a change of pace from a Fully Fledged Rock remix of Jager to a slow mix of traditional King and Queen track. It hold up though, very mellow yet funky enough to swing too, it brings something that we dont get to hear much of, and it gets points for just giving us a differant pace over the opther tracks on SEB. I listen to quite a bit of J-pop and it seems to be catering quite well to that audience, as I enjoyed it, maybe not as much as the last ablums track, maybe thats because I listen to alot of Rock aswell.
7/10
Best 3
JOE D. TOASTER / CRAZY DIAMOND
MEGAN / TIME TO SAY BYE BYE
GO GO GIRLS / SEX KILLER
Worst 3:
DJ SPACE C / DANGER ZONE
YO SHINE / I DREAM OF YOU
MR. MOOG / BANG BANG COWBOY
Overall Score: 8/10
Monday, 18 October 2010
Justican's SEB208 Review
Justican's SEB 208 Review
1.TELL ME WHY - RICH HARD
Pirates was a nice suprise, for a album with alot of heavy music, it
was a lovely break to have a speedy but low toned song. This time, the
whole album is about to follow suit and its an excellent song to start
off the album. A varied and addictive synthed followed by flowing yet
hard hitting vocals steam this song very well. It goes on spledidly
towards a memorial chorus which, unforunatly, the overused virbration
effect that could of been used more effectivly by only used once or twice
in the song. Some improvements could of been made but as it is, very
listenable and harmonious.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8.5
2.JUNGLE OF FIRE - LAURA VOX
Said by many to be the highlight of the album, Jungle of Fire fits to
to almost everything great about Super Eurobeat, but of course, that
means its all been done before. A new vocalist does give it that
feeling that it is a fresh tune even if the synth and lyrics do fit
into the previous formula. There no part of the song I can find fault,
its addictive and very heart-felt, although it seems it should be a
faster song, its good to show that lowering the harsh tones of
previous SEB formulas can still make a great song.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 8.5
3.INVISIBLE TOUCH - FASTWAY
Rock Beatin' Wild seemed to be very Fastway, but just didn't seem
right. Fastway has got rid of any snazzy fancy features and made
another rock solid Fastway formula that definatly fits the bill. Alot
have mensioned about it being a little weaker then previous songs and
the instrument do show this, but the full energy of Fastway is still
there. It gets quite close to be compared to the highlife of Fastway
back in Euromach and is a very good contender for the better songs on
this album.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 9.5
4.AWAKE - STEPHY
Stephy is an artist that has made so many tunes that rank so highly
over her SEB history because of her own style of singing and epic Euro
synths. However in this song, her style is not apparant at all and
instead went for the style heard best in early 2000 eurobeat, which is
a good decade for her type of eurobeat but, sadly, makes this songs
the weaker she has done in a long while. But the song is not bad in
anyway, its very solid and harmonious, it seems its DIMA that has done
all the work into that and her voice makes the song run instead of her
usual vocal talents taking the song to a new level.
Review Score: 8
My Score: 7
5.QUEEN OF HEART - CORRADO
Like Awake, Queen of Heart sounds quite familier to previous eurobeat,
in fact sounds, very much like a male version of Leslie Parrish. I
tend to like the majority of Leslie Parrish's music for there dark
mystery and this song has alot of it. It has a very good balance of
happyness and sadness in the song, making it very appropiate for the
"love and sweets"/Aishu style and another song that undoubtly solid
thoughout.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8
6.CRAZY - DAVID DIMA
I find this song to be quite crazy, mainly due to the large amout of
80's rock musical references to it. Due to this strange formula, its
undoubtly catchy and addictive, making it a great tune to sing to.
However, that also what stops it from making it a perfect song, with
all these references, seems a bit cheesy and hap-hazard. Definatly a
fun song and its a good thing it dosent go over the top like "All is
magic".
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 9
7.THE MAGIC OF SUNSHINE - CIAO CIAO
The two ultimate things you can do in Eurobeat is to make a song very
catchy and to make a song unique. This song conqures suprising does
both, even if it does lend heavily off the SAW formula, it still pull
the unique sound off. I gather its thanks to the success of "Hard to
say im Sorry" and the not so popular practicing from slow, female-
based NRG songs back though that last 10 years, this song is pulled
off spectaculary.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10
8.PRETTY WOMAN - FRANCIS COOPER
This is the marmite of the album, you either love it to peices or hate
it to death. You may of previous heard Francis back in Euroflash days,
and if so, his songs where deep, fast and emotional. Again with Hi-NRG
songs, changing the fast to slow (-ish, its still fast compared to
ordinary songs), the songs still keep the solid sounds of the previous
3 decades. Im not sure why Pretty Woman sounds like it has never been
done before even, even if it sounds typical for a slow 80's euro song.
I adore this song to death, it may even reach my top 10 SEB songs of
all time. The song is perfect, very harmonious, addictive and
emotional, the only thing that I could change is the effects that
should of been left to "The Magic of sunshine" and the obvious synth
dedication to Roy Orbisons classic tune.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10+
9.NEVER GONNA MAKE - RADIORAMA
When I first saw this song, Dance Dance Revolution came straight to my
head and I would think it wouldent be the same song, but it was. Like
many people, downloading stepmania and as much offical DDR simfiles as
you could, you where bound to play this song from DDR 4th Mix. The
original was a very solid eurobeat tune from Factory Team, this
version does retain the solid qualitys though speed it up along with a
decent synth hook. This song bring out the 90's eurodance spirit and
make is such a good tune to sing and dance to. The remix is varied and
rythamically sound so its a tad more intense the original, but none of
it lets down what I expected in the song. Shame it does sounds a bit
dated.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8.5
10.MEMORIES OF YOU - ORLANDO
A new artist, usual there a yawnfest as they just borrow a style from
a previous artist but it just falls short. Although Corrado did imiate
one, he pulled though as a contender to that artist, Orlando songs are
simliar to Kasanova, but actually exceeds the quality previously heard
by that artist. Orlando' style is definatly a suprising twist to a
previous style and it works out very successfully. The song is full of
emotion and spirit, along is increased with the driving chorus and
synth. Not to best song to sing to but the lyrics are beutifully
placed and easy to sway to. There needs to be more into the lyrics to
make this an epic song, perhaps theres always next time.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10
11.EYES OF SKY - VIVI
Since she has thrown the "Me, Myself and I" style away and adopted
the cutsy, warm hearted eurobeat style, her songs sound gracious and
pleasent. This song follows suit and this is a very solid song
following her previous formula so well. Not over the top like
Christine, the song is very soothing and happy, making the song
relaxing. It a little too typical though, but it fits in the album
very well as this type of song isnt covered yet, its a very welcome,
plesent song to hear.
Review Score: 8
My Score: 8.5
12.MIND GAMES - DREAM FIGHTERS
A very retro 80's intro sounds very promising, unfortunatly it ends
and Dima kicks in the Europanic style synth. Its a shame really, ive
heard a tonne of this style of music that this song sounds the most
un-interesting of Dream Fighters for the 200's. It suffers with
similar problems as Awake, though the problem of having this vocalist
means the song isnt carryed with the same grace as awake. Those who
hardly hear Europanic style songs should like it, to me its quite a
tired and typical song even if its a fairly good through tune.
Review Score: 7.5
My Score: 7.5
13.EZ DO DANCE (Morris Capaldo VS TRF Remix) - TRF
Its a nice suprise to see a songs you have hear so much, then hear
remix's of same song so much, then hear a even newer remisx and still
enjoy it thoughly. The reason I really likes the Survival Dance, there
was enough changes to give it a few good listens and it not get boring
fast. Good synth, retains alot of the original charm and captures the
best of High paced NRG from SEB. I gather because of its Techno side
it gains this, but the conversion is very good, even if the majority
of the Techno is still very promident. One of the better remixes here
on the 200's.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 9.5
14.MELODY - NAGISA
If you have been listening to J-Euro the last few years, there have
been many songs sung by the fabulous Nagisa which have been original
and memorial. Her singing is usually hidden behind the strong synths
so its good to hear her real voice in this ballade version. This is
one of the most thorough of all the bonus tracks on the 200's, very
melodic, sincere and fluid, it brings out Nagisa vocal talent to make
it all the better. Shame because of Melodys overplay, it seems stale
from the beginning.
Review Score: N/A
My Score: 8.5
RESULT:
I loved the album SEB 194 "love and sweets" and I wouldent of
anticipated another similar alnum, then one comes along and its even
better. There isnt one song on here I havent fully enjoyed and
listened to all of them many times already. I look at the worst three
songs on the album and think "how can they be put there, there all
great songs". Its true though, they are only there because the other
gems shine that everso brighter. I think the best part of the album is
that the diversity of the songs cover so much of the Super Eurobeat
Spectrum. There is Eurobeat from each of the three decades and more,
yet all of them dont need to be fast or hard to become good songs.
With the recent albums being so tempremental and experimental, having
a very solid album that commemorates the previous history of SEB is
making this the second best album of the 200 yet.
Review Score: 113/136.5 - 83%
My Score: 123.5/147 - 84%
Best Songs:
The Magic of Sunshine - Ciao Ciao
Pretty Woman - Francis Cooper
Memorys of You - Orlando
Worst Songs:
Awake -Stephy
Eyes of Sky - ViVi
Mind games - Dream Fighter
1.TELL ME WHY - RICH HARD
Pirates was a nice suprise, for a album with alot of heavy music, it
was a lovely break to have a speedy but low toned song. This time, the
whole album is about to follow suit and its an excellent song to start
off the album. A varied and addictive synthed followed by flowing yet
hard hitting vocals steam this song very well. It goes on spledidly
towards a memorial chorus which, unforunatly, the overused virbration
effect that could of been used more effectivly by only used once or twice
in the song. Some improvements could of been made but as it is, very
listenable and harmonious.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8.5
2.JUNGLE OF FIRE - LAURA VOX
Said by many to be the highlight of the album, Jungle of Fire fits to
to almost everything great about Super Eurobeat, but of course, that
means its all been done before. A new vocalist does give it that
feeling that it is a fresh tune even if the synth and lyrics do fit
into the previous formula. There no part of the song I can find fault,
its addictive and very heart-felt, although it seems it should be a
faster song, its good to show that lowering the harsh tones of
previous SEB formulas can still make a great song.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 8.5
3.INVISIBLE TOUCH - FASTWAY
Rock Beatin' Wild seemed to be very Fastway, but just didn't seem
right. Fastway has got rid of any snazzy fancy features and made
another rock solid Fastway formula that definatly fits the bill. Alot
have mensioned about it being a little weaker then previous songs and
the instrument do show this, but the full energy of Fastway is still
there. It gets quite close to be compared to the highlife of Fastway
back in Euromach and is a very good contender for the better songs on
this album.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 9.5
4.AWAKE - STEPHY
Stephy is an artist that has made so many tunes that rank so highly
over her SEB history because of her own style of singing and epic Euro
synths. However in this song, her style is not apparant at all and
instead went for the style heard best in early 2000 eurobeat, which is
a good decade for her type of eurobeat but, sadly, makes this songs
the weaker she has done in a long while. But the song is not bad in
anyway, its very solid and harmonious, it seems its DIMA that has done
all the work into that and her voice makes the song run instead of her
usual vocal talents taking the song to a new level.
Review Score: 8
My Score: 7
5.QUEEN OF HEART - CORRADO
Like Awake, Queen of Heart sounds quite familier to previous eurobeat,
in fact sounds, very much like a male version of Leslie Parrish. I
tend to like the majority of Leslie Parrish's music for there dark
mystery and this song has alot of it. It has a very good balance of
happyness and sadness in the song, making it very appropiate for the
"love and sweets"/Aishu style and another song that undoubtly solid
thoughout.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8
6.CRAZY - DAVID DIMA
I find this song to be quite crazy, mainly due to the large amout of
80's rock musical references to it. Due to this strange formula, its
undoubtly catchy and addictive, making it a great tune to sing to.
However, that also what stops it from making it a perfect song, with
all these references, seems a bit cheesy and hap-hazard. Definatly a
fun song and its a good thing it dosent go over the top like "All is
magic".
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 9
7.THE MAGIC OF SUNSHINE - CIAO CIAO
The two ultimate things you can do in Eurobeat is to make a song very
catchy and to make a song unique. This song conqures suprising does
both, even if it does lend heavily off the SAW formula, it still pull
the unique sound off. I gather its thanks to the success of "Hard to
say im Sorry" and the not so popular practicing from slow, female-
based NRG songs back though that last 10 years, this song is pulled
off spectaculary.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10
8.PRETTY WOMAN - FRANCIS COOPER
This is the marmite of the album, you either love it to peices or hate
it to death. You may of previous heard Francis back in Euroflash days,
and if so, his songs where deep, fast and emotional. Again with Hi-NRG
songs, changing the fast to slow (-ish, its still fast compared to
ordinary songs), the songs still keep the solid sounds of the previous
3 decades. Im not sure why Pretty Woman sounds like it has never been
done before even, even if it sounds typical for a slow 80's euro song.
I adore this song to death, it may even reach my top 10 SEB songs of
all time. The song is perfect, very harmonious, addictive and
emotional, the only thing that I could change is the effects that
should of been left to "The Magic of sunshine" and the obvious synth
dedication to Roy Orbisons classic tune.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10+
9.NEVER GONNA MAKE - RADIORAMA
When I first saw this song, Dance Dance Revolution came straight to my
head and I would think it wouldent be the same song, but it was. Like
many people, downloading stepmania and as much offical DDR simfiles as
you could, you where bound to play this song from DDR 4th Mix. The
original was a very solid eurobeat tune from Factory Team, this
version does retain the solid qualitys though speed it up along with a
decent synth hook. This song bring out the 90's eurodance spirit and
make is such a good tune to sing and dance to. The remix is varied and
rythamically sound so its a tad more intense the original, but none of
it lets down what I expected in the song. Shame it does sounds a bit
dated.
Review Score: 8.5
My Score: 8.5
10.MEMORIES OF YOU - ORLANDO
A new artist, usual there a yawnfest as they just borrow a style from
a previous artist but it just falls short. Although Corrado did imiate
one, he pulled though as a contender to that artist, Orlando songs are
simliar to Kasanova, but actually exceeds the quality previously heard
by that artist. Orlando' style is definatly a suprising twist to a
previous style and it works out very successfully. The song is full of
emotion and spirit, along is increased with the driving chorus and
synth. Not to best song to sing to but the lyrics are beutifully
placed and easy to sway to. There needs to be more into the lyrics to
make this an epic song, perhaps theres always next time.
Review Score: 9.5
My Score: 10
11.EYES OF SKY - VIVI
Since she has thrown the "Me, Myself and I" style away and adopted
the cutsy, warm hearted eurobeat style, her songs sound gracious and
pleasent. This song follows suit and this is a very solid song
following her previous formula so well. Not over the top like
Christine, the song is very soothing and happy, making the song
relaxing. It a little too typical though, but it fits in the album
very well as this type of song isnt covered yet, its a very welcome,
plesent song to hear.
Review Score: 8
My Score: 8.5
12.MIND GAMES - DREAM FIGHTERS
A very retro 80's intro sounds very promising, unfortunatly it ends
and Dima kicks in the Europanic style synth. Its a shame really, ive
heard a tonne of this style of music that this song sounds the most
un-interesting of Dream Fighters for the 200's. It suffers with
similar problems as Awake, though the problem of having this vocalist
means the song isnt carryed with the same grace as awake. Those who
hardly hear Europanic style songs should like it, to me its quite a
tired and typical song even if its a fairly good through tune.
Review Score: 7.5
My Score: 7.5
13.EZ DO DANCE (Morris Capaldo VS TRF Remix) - TRF
Its a nice suprise to see a songs you have hear so much, then hear
remix's of same song so much, then hear a even newer remisx and still
enjoy it thoughly. The reason I really likes the Survival Dance, there
was enough changes to give it a few good listens and it not get boring
fast. Good synth, retains alot of the original charm and captures the
best of High paced NRG from SEB. I gather because of its Techno side
it gains this, but the conversion is very good, even if the majority
of the Techno is still very promident. One of the better remixes here
on the 200's.
Review Score: 9
My Score: 9.5
14.MELODY - NAGISA
If you have been listening to J-Euro the last few years, there have
been many songs sung by the fabulous Nagisa which have been original
and memorial. Her singing is usually hidden behind the strong synths
so its good to hear her real voice in this ballade version. This is
one of the most thorough of all the bonus tracks on the 200's, very
melodic, sincere and fluid, it brings out Nagisa vocal talent to make
it all the better. Shame because of Melodys overplay, it seems stale
from the beginning.
Review Score: N/A
My Score: 8.5
RESULT:
I loved the album SEB 194 "love and sweets" and I wouldent of
anticipated another similar alnum, then one comes along and its even
better. There isnt one song on here I havent fully enjoyed and
listened to all of them many times already. I look at the worst three
songs on the album and think "how can they be put there, there all
great songs". Its true though, they are only there because the other
gems shine that everso brighter. I think the best part of the album is
that the diversity of the songs cover so much of the Super Eurobeat
Spectrum. There is Eurobeat from each of the three decades and more,
yet all of them dont need to be fast or hard to become good songs.
With the recent albums being so tempremental and experimental, having
a very solid album that commemorates the previous history of SEB is
making this the second best album of the 200 yet.
Review Score: 113/136.5 - 83%
My Score: 123.5/147 - 84%
Best Songs:
The Magic of Sunshine - Ciao Ciao
Pretty Woman - Francis Cooper
Memorys of You - Orlando
Worst Songs:
Awake -Stephy
Eyes of Sky - ViVi
Mind games - Dream Fighter
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